3 California sheriffs’ deputies shot, 1 dies

Law enforcement officers dressed in tactical gear prepare to aid in the search of an assailant, in Auburn, Calif., who shot three sheriff's deputies in two Northern California Counties, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Deputies were searching a canyon in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Auburn for an armed man suspected in the shooting of a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy and two Placer County Deputies and a bystander in an attempt to carjack a vehicle.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, AP)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An assailant shot and killed a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy and wounded two other deputies along with a bystander Friday during a series of shootings that spanned more than 30 miles through two California counties.

Deputies were searching a steep, tree-lined river canyon in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Auburn Friday afternoon for an armed man who was suspected in all four shootings.

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said at an afternoon news conference that Deputy Danny Oliver, 47, was killed after he approached a suspicious vehicle in a motel parking lot Friday morning and was shot in the forehead at close range. Oliver was a 15-year veteran who leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

“He was not able to return fire or do anything,” Jones said. He said Oliver’s partner was able to shoot back as the vehicle was fleeing the scene.

Jones did not know a motive.

Placer County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Dena Erwin told The Associated Press that two deputies from her department also were shot in Auburn, about 30 miles north of Sacramento, as the manhunt continued. The conditions of the other two deputies and the bystander were not immediately known.

A woman who was with the man was taken into custody and authorities said she had a handgun in her purse.

Residents in the rural area were being urged to stay indoors and schools were on lockdown as multiple law enforcement agencies searched for the remaining suspect.

An area high school was surrounded by law enforcement and students were being evacuated. The Placer Union High School District said all Auburn-area schools were in lockdown and the district asked parents not to come to any of its three high school campuses.